Pulcinella Unmasked.

Pulcinella is much more than a comic figure from Italian commedia dell'arte: he is a symbol of human experience, embodying the complexities and contradictions of society and the individual. Born in 17th-century Naples, he represents the spirit of the people, resilience, and cunning in the face of oppression. Pulcinella is both oppressor and oppressed, fool and wise man, servant and master, revealing the fluidity of identity. His iconic mask, with its exaggerated nose and mischievous grin, is a metaphor for the facades that hide true intentions, allowing him to manipulate situations and expose social hypocrisy. With intelligence and unpredictability, he challenges power structures, defending the oppressed and questioning the status quo. Though rooted in Neapolitan culture, Pulcinella has universal relevance, exploring themes of struggle, identity, and resistance. His defiance of social expectations becomes a search for freedom and authenticity, inviting the audience to reflect on their own complicity within oppressive systems.

Artworks shown in the video:

The Humour of Italy, 1892 (1890s): A humorous portrayal of Italy, where Pulcinella takes on a role of social satire.
Polichinelle by Nicolas Bonnart, circa 1680: A French depiction of Pulcinella (Polichinelle), illustrating the character’s spread beyond Italian borders.
Pulcinella by Antonio Asturi (1904 - 1986): A modern interpretation reflecting the psychological complexity of the character.
Pulcinella by Luciano Schifano (1943 - present): A contemporary version that emphasizes Pulcinella's duality and ambiguity.
Illustration of Pulcinella from 1700 (1860) by Maurice Sand, in Masques et bouffons: comédie italienne: A work documenting the character’s iconographic evolution.
Pulcinella on the Swing (1793) by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo: Pulcinella is depicted in a moment of joy and abandon, symbolizing freedom.
Bronze bust of Pulcinella by Lello Esposito (1957 - present): A sculpture capturing the eternal and indomitable essence of Pulcinella in Neapolitan culture.